I looked at some Sitka clothing yesterday. Just curious, what makes that product so expensive? It seemed the main component in the heaviest jacket was down. That one was $689. I cannot justify that price unless I’m overlooking something about this clothing. What y’all say? What is so great about the brands, first lite, kuiu, Sitka, that make it so expensive?

Weight vs warmth. Moisture wicking. Wind proof/waterproof ability and longevity. I don’t own any but that is what I’ve been told. Also, the ol keeping up with Jones’s mentality and the fact folks will pay it.

I wear some first lite stuff. Most of it is it's lighter and less bulky haven worn other stuff if you want good and not quiet as expensive look at the midway USA branded gear it's on par for a god bit less.

I’d say the benefits are some of the tech that goes into materials. There can be a substantial savings in layers for certain applications, particularly cold and wet weather, which means less to pack. That can be a huge advantage for those whose hunts take them to places far from a camp or a truck. Probably less so for the average Deep South hunter. I have a buddy that uses some of the higher dollar gear. But he’s the type who gets dropped off by bush plane or goes in on horseback for a week at a time. I get by with thoughtful layering and making do with camo ski pants(which are warm but bulky and loud).

Buy it online. Mens Warehouse is the worst. A pair of blue jeans in the store is $70, online $40 from Mens Warehouse online. Same store, same brand, size, and everything.

I own a good bit of sitka and some kuiu. The first part of YellaLineHunter is why I own what I do. However, I have only bought one set from a spoting goods store. The rest I have bought on clearance/sale via camofire or rogers sporting goods. Both run sales often and it can be bought for a good bit less.

I switched all my stuff to Nomad. On Veterans Day we got 35% off and it’s already about half the cost of Sitka. I’m really happy I did, not as bulky and very comfortable

You can’t kill any ducks without Banded and Sitka gear based on the wardrobe of every out of state hunter (except me) in northeast Arkansas. Haha.

I’ve actually worn some of my buddies Sitka gear last year after getting soaked from a Polaris Ranger bed latch breaking. It is definitely lighter weight and warm. I didn’t run out and buy any after using it a couple of days though.

It’s about what you need. Its warm and plenty of pockets in the right places. I wore a friends jacket it was nice. So far I haven’t purchased any. I layer up fleece on the out side for quietness.
Like the all famous Yeti coolers $$$$$ they where the go to, to look good and hold ice for days keeping the top closed. but other coolers did the same thing.

All of the above, a lot warmer with less weight and bulk make layering easier. Features like the inner leg thing? that you can put in your boots and still have the pants leg outside of your boots, a lot of pockets in the right places. And seem to hold up well I have a set that is ten years old and still in good shape

I love my code of silence gear very warm windproof and super quiet. yall need to check them out.i own the nomad cottonwood next and it is junk compared to code of silence. one of the owners of coble of silence used to design the clothes for cables before bass pro ruined cabelas.

A friend of mine suggested i buy some tree climbing pants, for safety you know. They cost $400/pair. I explained to him i work in used denim work pants i get off ebay for $8/pair. They last several months. I doubt ive spent $400 on work britches in 10yrs.

Placebo effect

I saw a $600 Sitka jacket today too, and I don’t understand it either.
But I only hunt in Alabama and Mississippi. Teens would be the absolute coldest weather. And super rare.

Got 2 Browning Goretex Jackets with removable liners.....$200 each back in 2001.....still Kicking'!!

Wind will not go through the Sitka , and is lighter and warmer than the stuff I was brought up using, I use it on the river and there is no colder place when its 30 deg on water

I grew up working in textile plants. The cost of Kuiu, Sitka, and similar is driven by the high end fabrics that are used in the construction. W. L. Gore doesn't give their high tech products away, and neither do Toray or the other high end mills.

But my Kuiu Guide jacket will fold up small enough to fit in a kid's shoe box, and is warmer than some of my old gear that is 3x as bulky and weighs 4x as much. Same with my Sitka shell. It would stuff into the average cargo pants pocket, completely waterproof, completely windproof, weighs a few ounces.

There are some heavily marketed things that I question the real value, but Sitka and Kuiu aren't on the list, at least not after I tested their gear. Same with Sleeping Indian, but their stuff ain't light or packable, just high quality and really warm.

Also, I inspect every garment that I buy. Sorry, just habit from 15+ years in that industry. I have never seen a bad seam, crooked stitching, off-center zipper, or anything else that would suggest that the sewing wasn't perfect on the brands in question here.

I’m real close to buying some next season on sale. Guy I hunt with wears the bibs and jacket with a base layer and looks like he’s wearing a tshirt, meanwhile I look like the Michelin man trying to stay warm. I’m tired of heavy hunting clothes.

I hunted about all day today. Wore a pair of merino wool long Johns, sweat shirt and blue jeans, duxback insulated over alls and a Columbia parka that are both over 20 years old. Neck gaiter, boggan and clear saftey glasses. Never got cold in the climber. Them lightweight gear can replace a lot, but not layers and insulation imo.